Best calzone in the world

Probably the best pizza in the world. Definitely the best calzone in the world!!!!!
Some people complain about the long wait, but my brother who lives in Europe practically is always counting down to his next NY-visit which means a calzone at Lucali's, so that's a wait of more or less 3-5 months. Well worth it though!

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58 out of 115 people found this review helpful.

Be prepared for bitchiness

Granted this place is always packed and has great pizza, however does that mean they get a free pass to be bitchy and downright rude to everyone? The hostess looked like she didn't even want to talk to you and sometimes she didn't, putting up a velvet rope and going inside to stay cool while I waited with others lined up in the heat waiting for her to even glance our way. The waitress was slightly better although huffed when we asked "what toppings do you recommend?" because it meant taking another minute of her time to talk to us. She did have a fit that we stayed one minute after paying the bill and came to tell us. (at that point it was 10:30pm and there were open tables in the restaurant so we didn't think we needed to rush) However after her episode we left to much grumbling (hers and ours).
The upside of this place is the pizza comes quick, it's a great atmosphere (atmosphere as defined by decor, smell, noise level, and others getting drunk off the byob policy, not the staff). My recommendation is make friends in Brooklyn, order take out and eat it at a park or a home that is nearby. That way you get the great pizza but none of the attitude.

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121 out of 237 people found this review helpful.

Best pizza ever. No contest.

And I've had a lot of pizza. Excellent ingredients and it's always fast (once you're seated.) For two people you won't spend more than $40 (with the corkage fee.) The no nonsense attitude of the waitresses is very Carroll Gardens and adds to the charm. Highly worth it, even if you have to wait.

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127 out of 247 people found this review helpful.

amazing pizza

outstanding pizza. all ingredients are fresh..the tomato sauce, the mozzarella, basil, and the pepperoni, if you eat pork.....the ambience and the decor adds to the scene.....the staff are very nice and Mark has turned into a great friend. you people with the negative reviews have no idea what you're talking about.
CASH ONLY. BYOB. Bring your own wine glasses

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125 out of 244 people found this review helpful.

truly great pizza

these reviews are completely out of line. i went there yesterday and had never heard of the place before, so there was basically no hype. the pizza was amazing, the ambiance is great, and the service is tops. i really have no complaints except that i don't live closer.

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169 out of 324 people found this review helpful.

Overpriced and Unpleasant

The regular Pizza is $24.00 and toppings are $3.00 each (except for free basil). When the restaurant first opened they were included. Now they are becoming a rip off joint. There is BYOB but a corkage fee. If you let them they will stick you in the table right in front of the unisex bathroom. It can smell bad there. Eeek! Also the people are right there in and out bumping into your chair and shoulder. Really unpleasant. Whatever you do don't accept the table in front of the bathroom. Better to take it out and eat it on their outside bench. Or in your car.

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192 out of 403 people found this review helpful.

Spoiler Alert

If you're into movie sets, this is your place. For the food comes second. Here's a little mental exercise: take Lucali's food (meaning, pies) and sell it at an inconspicuous stall anywhere in Manhattan/Brooklyn. In fact, just anywhere. Would it get the attention it has received? Could you charge $30 for it? Would anyone queue for it? Forty-five and more minutes?
The set is convincing, especially after dusk: candlelit, yellowed walls, Italian opera and tarantellas. An underlying conspiratorial atmosphere is evoked, intended to make you believe you are 'in the know'. Well, this review is meant to awaken you from this romantic slumber and remind you that you are merely eating an elementary aliment, pizza, and you are about to pay disproportionally much for it.

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195 out of 398 people found this review helpful.

Not at all worth the hype

I've eaten here when Mark was cooking--and it was fantastic. By far the best pie I have ever had, or dreamed of having. When Mark isn't throwing the pies--which, these days, is every day--what you get is OK, but not by any means great, pies. This last time I went some kid--seventeen, eighteen--threw my pie, and it was awful. Never going back.

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223 out of 447 people found this review helpful.